The Magnificent Voice Of Arthur Lee Simpkins

 

The Magnificent Voice Of Arthur Lee Simpkins

The Magnificent Voice Of Arthur Lee Simpkins
Miranda Hi-Fi Records
ALBUM 1917 Miranda Records, Lexington, Kentucky

From the back cover: A REVIEW: For a long time, I have heard the name Arthur Lee Simpkins. These hearings concerned a wonderful singer. Several times I have wondered that I had never heard him sing, and asked several impresarios why he had never been in our town. When Lou Walters told me that he booked Simpkins I looked forward to hearing him sing. Friday night was the long-awaited night. I realize perfectly well that it is hardly fair to an artist to go to his show without an open mind, for I was expecting great things.

We were unhappy when we were advised that Simpkins was under the care of his physician, and might not make the performance. But he arrived. We watched the excellent Latin Quarter show with some restlessness, for we wanted to hear Simpkins. And then, he walked on stage. We immediately fell a victim of his charm, for here is a modest and a humble man. For those of you who may not know, he is colored. He grew up in Augusta, Ga., where the townsfolks, recognizing his great talents, got him a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music.

Ladies and gentlemen, without fear of contradiction, I have never heard a singer that is more talented, or who has a finer voice than has Arthur Lee Simpkins.

I don't know how many of my readers remember the great John McCormack, the Irish tenor. I was putty in his hands. He had the ability to weave a spell over me. As a youngster, I followed him around to hear him sing, like a stage door Johnnie. When he was in theaters, I would sit through show after show.

I have now found another singer who has also been blessed by Almighty God, whose vocal chords have received the magic touch of the magic wand of Him who dishes out talent. And what a wonderful choice it was when the blessed was this modest man, probably the best ambassador for the colored race I have yet met.

To attempt to describe his voice is like trying to tell you of the tones of a perfectly matched set of bells. Words can't do it. You have to hear Arthur Lee Simpkins to get even a vague idea of what I am trying to tell you.

Simpkins has all the range and tone quality that was possessed by the late John McCormack, but he has much more volume. I sat there and didn't believe my own ears. I looked around me at the customers and I saw beautiful young women with their mouths open in amazement, and near disbelief. I watched staid and calloused ringsiders applaud, when for years they had made a specialty of sitting on their hands. I heard enthusiastic ovation after enthusiastic ovation given him at the conclusion of each number he sang, of the kind and quality which is seldom heard in a night club. – Paul M. Bruun "Over Miami"

Diane
I Wonder, I Wonder
Marie
This Is The Real Thing
Them There Eyes
Down By The Riverside
I Long For You
Aurora 
My Fate
Restless
For Old Times Sake
I Resolve